Composed on January 20, 2021
Well, Dear Friends,
That didn’t take long. A magnificent fail in the shed. Not that bad really, 6 hours of cutting and 14 x 10 inch piece of cedar. The good news is: I know why it happened. In my excitement of starting a new project, I did not converse with the cedar.
In my early days of woodworking, I would dominate the wood and try to bend it to my will. In recent times, I try to visit with the wood, searching for solutions which fit my desire while staying within the abilities of the wood. The ‘Fire Wheel with Horses’, in January 2021, is an excellent example of harmony and celebration of the wood.
And then my next project: a tree man in cedar. the project was stopped because the knot in the center on the back side of the board, caused the cut work to fail and the project falls apart. Lesson Taught (maybe Lesson Learned.) Speak with the wood and listen to the responses.
This experience reminds me of when I was a working dog, folks would ask me how I became such a good coder. I would say: “It’s easy. After 30 years, I have made every possible mistake twice!” Of course, I should have said “I have made every possible mistake at least twice.”
But it’s okay: It is January! No deadlines, just out in the shed making sawdust having more fun than an old coder could hope for.
Stay save, Stay well,
Love to All,
Paul
